DutchNews.nl - Formal talks to start on a minority CDA Liberal government

The Netherlands is set to get its first post-war minority cabinet, if talks between the VVD, PVV and CDA are successful.

The three parties agreed on Friday to start discussions on forming a minority cabinet between the VVD and CDA which will rule with support from the anti-Islam PVV.

VVD leader Mark Rutte said on Friday evening that he, CDA leader Maxime Verhagen and Geert Wilders saw 'perspectives' for such as cabinet. The three leaders have been in exploratory talks all week.

In a joint statement, the parties said they had agreed to 'accept' differences of opinion over Islam and 'fully grant each other freedom of speech'.

Wilders told reporters he was 'extremely happy' with the move and that a minority right-wing cabinet will be 'fantastic' for the Netherlands.

He said he expects a tough stand on immigration and integration, more police on the streets and better care for the elderly in return for his support. He will also continue to speak his mind about Islam, he said.

The parties have also agreed to cut government spending by €18bn, the Volkskrant quoted Wilders as saying.

Forming a minority government will allow the CDA to get round objections to ruling with the anti-Islam party, frees Wilders from the responsibility of having to find ministers and gives him free reign to continue his anti-Islam campaign.

It would also be beneficial to the Netherlands' reputation abroad not to have the PVV in government, the Volkskrant said earlier on Friday.

Together the three parties control 76 seats of the 150-seat lower house of parliament.

The agreement means Wilders will be involved in drawing up the coalition agreement and will sign it, but will not be part of the government.

In Denmark, the far-right DPP has given its parliamentary support to a right-wing government for nine years and Wilders would do well to copy this, Danish MEP Morten Messerschmidt told the Volkskrant.

'The cabinet cannot do a thing without our support. In return we get our way in the fight against Islam and in tightening up immigration and integration policy,' Messerschmidt told the paper.

I think this goverment will be worse goverment in history of Netherland as it is going to build on fascism and hatred. Sad news for Netherlands. Hope for the best...

By Meh | July 31, 2010 10:23 AM

I have just returned from a trip to Poland and visitted Auschwitz, I think Geert Wilders should visit this site and rethink his actions.

By cloggy | July 31, 2010 10:44 PM